Hyderabad: Residents of Siddiqui Nagar have often complained of having issues with Army personnel posted there. It has been several years now since a demand was made to move the military base from Mehdipatnam, but there has been no response.
Many advocates nearby have made several representations claiming Army personnel were a constant source of harassment often restricting freedom and in some instances, even beating up civilians.
Advocate Jafar Hussain says, “We are not even allowed access to the mosque in the area. What is the need for them to be stationed inside the city, causing so much inconvenience. They thrash up people sometimes, if the pillion rider has no helmet. We have been living here for decades and this is no way to treat people.”
Filter Basti, named after the huge water filter in the area, is home to some 200 families, with a total population of nearly 600. Meanwhile, Siddique Nagar has about 1,200 families and hundreds commute through the military area.
“It’s like a refugee camp here. We need permission for everything from wedding processions to funerals. They have curtailed free movement and we have no choice but obey,” said M.A. Mujeeb, a High Court advocate and a local resident.
